Shaped by Service: From Canada’s Armed Forces to Life at Thales

What did your career in the Canadian Army look like?

I served in the Canadian Army for 26 years as an Armour officer, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2023. My career spanned operational leadership, training, and command roles of increasing responsibility – from overseeing a troop of 15 soldiers and four tanks in my 20s, to leading a regiment of more than 500 soldiers and hundreds of vehicles in my early 40s. 

My family and I moved frequently during my service, with postings across New Brunswick and Ontario (Kingston, Ottawa, Toronto, and four tours in Petawawa), plus a short exchange in Kentucky. I deployed on operations in Canada (1998), Bosnia (2003–04), Afghanistan (2009–10), and commanded the NATO Battle Group in Latvia in 2021.

What drew you to Thales after your military career?

While still serving, a friend at Thales reached out about a role that they thought I’d be a good fit for. 

I had no prior industry experience, but quickly realized that Thales valued the skills that I had already developed in my military career: clear communication, team building, and managing complex relationships. 

I’d heard from other veterans that working in industry might be challenging, as the level of teamwork and commitment experienced in the service is difficult to replicate. However, over the years at Thales I’ve developed a deep sense of purpose rooted in the fact that my work ultimately supports those in the field who depend on it.

How has your experience in the Canadian Army influenced your approach to your work at Thales?

Through my service, I learned the importance of making sure that the people on your teams understand how their work ties into the bigger mission. At Thales, I make a point of spending time with new hires – whether they’re graduates or experienced specialists – to explain our vision and thank them for choosing to help us bring it to life. Everyone has something valuable to offer, and recognizing those contributions early on helps build trust and strong working relationships. 

Another key thing I carried over to my role at Thales is a focus on program outcomes. In the military, you quickly learn that while managers are essential for keeping projects on track in terms of resources, budget, and schedule, leaders must go further by taking accountability, communicating clearly, and owning the mission from start to finish to ensure success.

What gives you the greatest sense of pride from your military service and your work at Thales today?

Everything is about people. When I hear about the successes of my former colleagues as they continue their service, I’m proud to see where their careers have taken them and am grateful to have had the privilege to serve alongside them.

At Thales, the same is true. I’m proud when I see a junior engineer grow into their responsibilities, or when a project team is recognised for its performance. Their achievements in the workplace directly reflect the collective effort that we put into equipping Canadian soldiers with the best possible tools to do their jobs, and I hope that every employee at Thales feels pride in supporting Canada’s Armed Forces.